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Looking to try and get back out on my Superfly, just to mix things up but also because I have a horrible sneaking suspicion that a gravelised 29er might be the bike I should be using on most of my gravel rides 😆
The important thing is that tarmac sections aren't too soul destroying. This is where the Terreno XC scores very highly, it's rapid!
But unlike the narrower Terreno Dry gravel tyres, I just can't find the shoulders on the Terreno XC and it's very floaty on corners. I also think because of the extra width there's more slick in contact with the ground so I find it spins out more than the narrower gravel version.
Mezcal is the obvious step up as an all-rounder but it just looks a bit *too* much tread, I worry it will just growl along on the 15km tarmac sections.
Is there a perfect in-between? Say 2" wide, more shoulder tread than a Terreno, less tread than a Mezcal?
Conti Race King 2.2, Protection version
A bit of a stab in the dark (I've never tried them), but would these work - https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/components/tyres/gravel-bike-tyres/continental-terra-hardpack-tyre-review/
They look a fair bit lighter than my TNT Terreno's too.
Mezcal is a good tyre. Rolls really well for what it is.
I'll be going back to one on the rear once my current rekon race wears out. I thought the rekon would be quicker with it being a semi slick but it isn't.
I use them in 2.3 on a rigid MTB.
Mezcal front, Terrano rear?
Or if you stray to Maxxis, there's the Rekon Race or Aspen?
Thanks all, Aspens win it by a nose over the Race King, I had forgotten all about the Aspen but remember really enjoying them in a previous life on an old Whyte 905 hardtail, my first taste of a 'fast' tyre.
I suspect Terravail Rutlands would be great
They barely role slower than the Terrano with more grip
But that’s based on 650b gravel
Lab test says Aspens are slower than Mezcals: https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/mtb-reviews/compare/continental-race-king-protection-2020-vs-maxxis-aspen-exo-tr-vs-vittoria-mezcal-tnt-g2-2019
2.1 mezcals on the drop bar MTB, I can keep up with mates on 40mm gravel tyres so they roll on tarmac well
Very happy with my Mezcal 2.1s front and back. I got them after Halo twin rails and they are way faster, and grippier than you’d expect too.
Looking at the tread pattern on Aspens I find it hard to believe they’d be faster than Mezcals.
I’ve been pleased with every Vittoria tyre I’ve owned. I’ll definitely be looking at them first when it’s time to change.
Rats, should have looked at RollingResistance! 😖
It was the height of the tread on the Mezcals which put me off, but those pics of the Aspens show the tread is a similar height and of course not as continuous.
Oh well, bought them cheap off eBay so not confident I'll be able to return them. Hopefully they'll be faster than the Barzos at least 🙄
Let us know how you find them.
Phew, well kudos to bankrupt_bike_parts on eBay, I messaged before the tyres had been dispatched and they cancelled and refunded.
Now to check width of the current tyres and order the corresponding Mezcal TNT 😎
Mezcal TNT
I have in 2.2 / 27.5 flava.
When I replace the 'usual' Scottish MTB tyres with them, it just feels like cheating. Noticeably faster than mrs_oab's XR2's of same size and dimension.
They don't seem to like too low a pressure - I tend to keep a good few more PSI in them to reduce 'bounce' on the road/tracks vs some added pinballing on rougher off-road.
I'm going from a 29 x 2.1" Barzo which in fairness feels reasonably quick for what I consider to be a full blooded MTB tyre.
Was tempted by the tan/TLR sidewall Mezcals but these are for rides that I deem too rough or rocky for the gravel bike, so it seems like tempting fate to run a thinner sidewall.
I'm pondering the Mezcal front / terreno rear combo for my 29er e-gravel bike (Cairn Brave 2.0) as a replacement for rekon front and rear
50% road/bridlepath and 50% gravel duty, not really XC ever
Has anyone tried this combo, does it stop with the fast rear?
@chrisjib I can’t comment on performance as I’ve not ridden yet but that’s the combo I’ve fitted to the pinklespeed for summer now the mudguards are off.
https://flic.kr/p/2oxTPQd
Thunder Burt.
Did me fine on my Badger Divide trip last weekend.